Anil Cardigan in Summer Knitscene

Published by amychristoffers

The Summer 2016 Knitscene has a new patterns by both of the Amys here in the Berroco Design office. One of my favorite things about designing for magazine editorial is feeling like I get to work with my friends. Check out Amy P.’s dreamy Ipomoea scarf here or continue reading for thoughts and fit advice on the Anil Cardigan designed by yours truly (Amy C.).

The stockinette stitch body is worked in one piece from the bottom up to the underarms, then you divide for the fronts and back. The shoulders are shaping short-rows are worked before you begin working the lace pattern so there is no worry about working shaping in the pattern. Then the sleeves are picked up and worked in the round down to the cuffs. This one knits up quickly in a worsted weight yarn, Berroco Indigo and it takes just 5 (6, 6, 7, 8, 9) skeins. The sample is shown in #6463 “Denim” but I’m tempted to knit one up in #6432 “High-Rise” or #6402 “Cut-Offs”.

Denim

Cut-Offs

High-Rise

The Anil cardigan is available in 36½ (41 (46, 51, 55½, 60½)” bust circumference, with fronts overlapped about 2½”; shown in size 41″, modeled with 8½” of positive ease. Ease is highly subjective—the best way to decide what size to knit is to try on various garments with a similar fit to see what works well for you. Then measure it to ensure you choose the right amount of ease for you. In this case I would suggest a comfy, slouchy sweatshirt, the kind you want to live in all weekend long. That could mean a size that will give you anywhere from 4–10″ of ease, depending on your own personal style—in my case I’m happy with about 6″ of positive ease but I am very tempted to knit another one with about 6″ more length in the body, in which case I think I’d go up to 1o” and I’d need to purchase an additional skein of yarn as well.